While travelling on my current trip to DC to visit family, I began reading the Amerian Way Magazine on our flight…thankfully the new portable DVD player worked its magic on our 2-year-old son and I had some time.

The cover story is of Maya Angelou and I just want to give you a few quotes from a woman who has mastered the use of words.

“I am grateful. I am truly grateful. I’m grateful for being here, for being able to think, for being able to see, for being able to taste, for appreciating love – for knowing that it exists in a world so rife with bulgarity, with brutality and violence, and yet love exists. I’m grateful to know that it exists.”

“No matter how bad it gets, I’m always grateful to know that I don’t have to stay with the negative. I don’t have to continue in this climate of cynicism.”

“When you get, give. When you learn, teach.”

“You’ll have to know me very, very well to hear me complain. I’ll protest like the dickens, but I don’t complain.”

“I may be remembered as this tall, mean black lady, but I hope not. I hope I’ll be remembered as a kind and generous and funny and love and brave. And grateful. Always grateful.”

Rick Davis, pastor of Brownwood First Baptist, reports on his blog that five teenagers made public professions of faith Sunday. Then he noted:

“I think the praying Texas is doing for lost people at noon each day is resulting in baptisms in our churches.”

This reminds me that I haven’t been consistent in this regard, but I know many have been. In case you missed it, as part of Texas Hope 2010, we are seeking 100,000 people to pray at noon everyday for the lost to come to faith in Christ and for the needs of the hungry to be met. Sign up here. But more importantly, pray!

While touring recently, Dutton, which leads worship at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, met Shane Kimbrough. After talking, Shane asked the band if he could take one of their CDs to work with him. Of course, the band said.

By the way, that’s Shane in the picture on the left. He’s part of the Endeavour mission that’s going on now. That’s right, he works for NASA.

I know people continue looking for ways to help those affected by Hurricane Ike. With the Christmas season coming upon us, this may be an easy way to do that.

First Baptist Church in Galveston will be distributing items such as household supplies, cleaning supplies, baby items, clothes, furniture and toys on Dec. 6 and 13. If they have enough items, the church plans on doing it twice more in January.

The church is accepting donations. For more information about donating items, call the church at 409-763-1671. Help make the holiday season a little brighter for those on Galveston Island.

He was looking for more cards, movies and books. And Texas Baptists have been sending him supplies. One of the more recent reports I’ve seen, indicates Pathways Ministries sent 13 boxes of supplies to the chaplain. The items included:

1,233 cards and envelopes

39 books

10 magazines

80 DVDs

Additional pens, playing cards, tablets, pads, envelopes, etc.

Thank you, Pathways. I know the chaplain appreciates what you’ve done. I’m sure the troops will as well.

If you’d like more informatin about how you can support the chaplain, call 888-244-9400.

A Baylor University sophomore died in a car accident on Saturday. The memorial service times have just been announced.

Here’s the information from the Baylor web site:

A visitation and memorial service have been set for Baylor University student Melissa Ellen (Missy) Blackbird, who died Saturday in a one-car accident near Tomball.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 South. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3901 S. Panther Creek Dr. in The Woodlands.

Though a sophomore by hours, Missy was a first-year student at Baylor and resided in Brooks College. She was a bioinformatics major. She is survived by her father William, her mother Pamela, her brother Shelton, her grandparents, Al and Barbara Blackbird and Donald and Nancy Dailey, several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, and her dog Puffy.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Missy’s memory may be made to Diamond Star Ranch, P.O. Box 9872, The Woodlands, TX 77387 (www.diamondstarranchyouth.org). Diamond Star Ranch is dedicated to aiding and assisting troubled teen girls and their families through the care of horses.

Please continue to keep Missy’s family and friends in your prayers during this difficult time.